UConn alum Morgan Valley named head coach of University of Hartford women’s basketball team

Former UConn guard Morgan Valley was named the head coach of the University of Hartford’s women’s basketball team on Wednesday. (MICHAEL MCANDREWS/HC)

Former UConn women’s basketball guard Morgan Valley was named the head coach of the University of Hartford’s women’s basketball team on Wednesday.

Valley is the ninth head coach in program history, and comes to Hartford with more than 14 years of coaching experience.

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“This is an incredible opportunity and such an honor to be selected as the leader of the Hartford women’s basketball program,” Valley said in a statement. “I would like to thank the players, staff and administration at Arizona for the time and experience. I would also like to thank President Woodward, Mary Ellen Gillespie and Craig Sandlin for their patience and kindness throughout this process.”

As a coach, Valley has been part of three NCAA Tournament appearances and a Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) championship. Most recently she was an assistant coach at Arizona. She also coached at Washington, Virginia Tech, UMass, New Hampshire, Towson, Holy Cross and UConn.

“From the very start of our search process, Morgan’s experience and vision impressed all of us,” said director of athletics Mary Ellen Gillespie. “She has had tremendous success as both a player and a coach, and will be an outstanding mentor for our student-athletes. On top of being a proven winner, Morgan has been a part of leading highly successful programs. After a thorough and comprehensive national search process, there is no doubt that she is the perfect fit.”

Valley replaces Kim McNeill, who spent three seasons as coach. She led the Hawks to a 59-38 record, including a 14-2 in the America East last season. McNeill recently took a job as coach at East Carolina. McNeill was preceded by another UConn alum, Jennifer Rizzotti, who coached the Hawks 17 seasons before taking over the George Washington women’s basketball program.

Valley spent four season on the UConn women’s basketball roster, primarily coming off the bench, and appeared in 108 games under coach Geno Auriemma from 2000-04. During her time at UConn, the Huskies won three national titles. She coached as a student assistant under Auriemma when her playing days were over.

Morgan Valley, @UConnWBB Class of 2004, will be named next coach of @HartfordWBB, source says. Valley recently has been an assistant at Arizona and Washington.

“I’m so excited for Morgan,” Auriemma said in a statement. “She is absolutely the most hardworking, dedicated person I’ve been around in a long, long time. Her experiences as a player and assistant coach at various levels have provided her with all the tools she needs to be an excellent head coach. They hired a terrific coach and an outstanding human being.”

“Morgan has prepared her whole life to be a head coach,” added former teammate Diana Taurasi. “She has dedicated her life to basketball and the betterment of young women.”

Valley will be formally introduced at a press conference on campus Thursday.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join Hawk Nation, and I can’t wait to carry on the winning tradition that has been established by both Jen Rizzotti and Kim McNeill,” Valley said. “Four of the best years of my life were spent here in Connecticut, and it is truly a dream to be coming back home. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to representing the community and the University of Hartford.”